The infinitive with 'zu' elegantly connects two actions when the same person performs both. It's a sophisticated alternative to 'dass'-clauses, making your German sound more natural and fluent. Think of it as upgrading from 'I hope that I pass' to 'I hope to pass.'
1Story in Action
Ein Projekt planen
Maria: Hi Tom. Ich habe vor, das Marketing-Projekt nächste Woche zu beginnen. Wir müssen schnell handeln, um die Frist einzuhalten.
Hi Tom. I'm planning to begin the marketing project next week. We have to act quickly to meet the deadline.
Infinitive with 'zu' after specific verbs (Intention)
The verb phrase vorhaben (to intend/plan) is a classic trigger for the 'zu' + infinitive structure.
Verb (e.g., vorhaben) in main clause, ... zu + Infinitiv at the end of the second clause.
Placement of 'zu' with Separable Verbs
The separable verb einhalten (to meet/comply) takes zu between the prefix (ein) and the verb stem (halten).
ein-zu-halten.
Tom: Super! Es ist wichtig, alle Schritte gut vorzubereiten. Wir dürfen nicht vergessen, die Ressourcen korrekt zu budgetieren.
Great! It's important to prepare all the steps well. We must not forget to budget the resources correctly.
Infinitive with 'zu' after adjective phrases
The impersonal phrase es ist wichtig (it is important) is explained by the following 'zu' + infinitive clause. (Separable verb: vor-zu-bereiten).
es ist + Adjective, ... zu + Infinitiv.
Infinitive with 'zu' after specific verbs (Forget/Remember)
The verb vergessen (to forget) is another common verb that requires the 'zu' + infinitive clause when referring to an action.
vergessen, ... zu + Infinitiv.
Maria: Genau. Hast du Zeit, mir dabei zu helfen? Ich habe auch die Absicht, nächste Woche die Präsentation fertigzustellen.
Exactly. Do you have time to help me with it? I also have the intention to finish the presentation next week.
Infinitive with 'zu' after noun phrases
The noun Zeit (time) is often specified by a 'zu' + infinitive clause.
Noun phrase in main clause, ... zu + Infinitiv.
Infinitive with 'zu' after compound noun phrases
The compound noun phrase die Absicht haben (to have the intention) is a strong trigger. (fertigzustellen is a separable verb: fertig-zu-stellen).
Noun phrase + zu + Infinitiv.
Tom: Auf jeden Fall. Ich verspreche dir, pünktlich zu sein und alle nötigen Berichte mitzubringen. Es wird schwierig, alles an einem Tag zu erledigen.
Definitely. I promise you to be on time and to bring all the necessary reports. It will be difficult to handle everything in one day.
Infinitive with 'zu' after specific verbs (Promise)
The verb versprechen (to promise) is a direct trigger for the action that is promised.
versprechen, ... zu + Infinitiv.
Placement of 'zu' with Separable Verbs
The separable verb mitbringen (to bring along) takes zu after the prefix (mit).
mit-zu-bringen.
Infinitive with 'zu' after adjective phrases (Future)
The future form of the adjective phrase (Es wird schwierig) is explained by the infinitive clause.
Future Form + Adjective, ... zu + Infinitiv.
Maria: Perfekt! Ich hoffe, heute alle wichtigen Details zu besprechen, um die Arbeit effizienter zu machen. Ich bitte dich, mir morgen alle Daten zuzuschicken.
Perfect! I hope to discuss all important details today in order to make the work more efficient. I ask you to send me all the data tomorrow.
Infinitive with 'zu' after specific verbs (Hope)
The verb hoffen (to hope) is followed by 'zu' + infinitive.
hoffen, ... zu + Infinitiv.
Infinitive with 'um ... zu' (Purpose)
The um...zu construction is used to express the purpose or aim of the action in the main clause (Why are we discussing? -> to make the work efficient).
um + ... + zu + Infinitiv.
Infinitive with 'zu' after specific verbs (Request)
The verb bitten (to ask/request) is followed by 'zu' + infinitive to state the content of the request. (zuzuschicken is a separable verb: zu-zu-schicken).
bitten, ... zu + Infinitiv.
Tom: Das ist eine gute Idee. Ich freue mich darauf, mit dir zusammenzuarbeiten. Es gibt viel zu erledigen, aber ich bin zuversichtlich, dass wir es schaffen werden.
That's a good idea. I'm looking forward to collaborating with you. There is a lot to do, but I'm confident that we will manage it.
Infinitive with 'zu' after Pronominal Adverbs
The verb phrase sich freuen auf (to look forward to) uses the da-compound (darauf) to point forward to the 'zu' + infinitive clause. (zusammenzuarbeiten is a separable verb: zusammen-zu-arbeiten).
Verb + da(r) + Preposition, ... zu + Infinitiv.
Infinitive with 'zu' after quantifiers
Quantifiers like viel (much) or nichts (nothing) often use the 'zu' + infinitive structure to specify what needs to be done.
Quantifier + zu + Infinitiv.
2Why This Matters
Infinitive with “zu” is the sleek sports-car version of German clause-linking: it replaces clunky “dass ich” chunks with smooth “to-do” phrases that natives use instinctively. Learn it and your speech and writing accelerate from hesitant to fluid in every plan, promise, and purpose you express.
3Core Function - Elegant Action Connection
Use 'zu' + infinitive when the same person performs both actions. It creates sophisticated, concise sentences by avoiding repetitive subjects.
Same Subject: Both actions must have the same subject (person doing the action)
Elegance Upgrade: Transforms clunky 'dass'-clauses into smooth, natural expression
Positioning: Always goes to the very end of the sentence
Dependent Clause: Functions as a dependent clause without needing its own subject
| Example | English | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Improvement: More concise and natural-sounding | ||
| Improvement: Eliminates repetitive subject | ||
| Improvement: Flows more naturally |
4Trigger Verbs - When to Use 'zu' + Infinitive
Specific verbs in the main clause trigger the 'zu' + infinitive construction. These express intentions, attempts, plans, emotions, or mental states about another action.
Intention Verbs: Express plans or intentions: planen, vorhaben, hoffen
Attempt Verbs: Express trying or effort: versuchen, schaffen, gelingen
Memory Verbs: Express remembering/forgetting: vergessen, sich erinnern
Emotion Verbs: Express feelings: sich freuen, Angst haben, Lust haben
Promise Verbs: Express commitments: versprechen, beschließen
5Noun + Verb Phrases - Fixed Expressions
Certain 'haben' + noun combinations always require 'zu' + infinitive. These are fixed expressions that must be memorized as complete units.
Haben Phrases: Fixed combinations with 'haben' that trigger zu + infinitive
Memorize Unit: Learn these as complete phrases, not individual words
Common Daily: Frequently used in everyday conversation
Colloquial Style: Often more conversational than formal verbs
6Impersonal 'es ist' Constructions
'Es ist' + adjective + 'zu' + infinitive expresses general opinions, evaluations, or states. These are impersonal constructions common in formal and advisory contexts.
Impersonal Nature: No specific subject - general statements about situations.
Evaluative Function: Express judgments, opinions, or general truths.
Formal Register: Common in instructions, advice, and formal writing.
Universal Application: Apply to anyone in the situation.
7Separable Verbs - The Golden Rule
For separable verbs, 'zu' ALWAYS goes between the prefix and the main verb. This is the most important word order rule for this construction.
Golden Rule: 'zu' goes between the prefix and verb stem for ALL separable verbs.
Consistency: This rule never changes, regardless of the separable verb.
Recognition: Learn to identify separable verbs by their prefixes.
Common Prefixes: an-, auf-, aus-, ein-, mit-, vor-, zurück-, etc.
8Purpose Construction - 'um...zu'
Use 'um...zu' (in order to) to express purpose when the same person does both actions. Use 'damit' when different people are involved.
Purpose Function: Expresses the reason or goal for doing something
Same Subject Rule: Only use um...zu when subject is the same in both clauses
Different Subjects: Use damit + dass-clause when subjects differ
Positioning: um starts the phrase, zu + infinitive ends it
9Critical Exception - Modal Verbs
NEVER use 'zu' with modal verbs (müssen, können, wollen, sollen, dürfen, mögen). Modal verbs take the bare infinitive only.
Absolute Exception: Modal verbs NEVER take 'zu' – this is a hard rule.
Common Error: Students often incorrectly add 'zu' after modal verbs.
Modal List: müssen, können, wollen, sollen, dürfen, mögen + lassen
Bare Infinitive: The second verb appears in its simple infinitive form at the end of the clause.
10Practice Exercises
Ich habe vor, morgen __ (einkaufen).
71 graded exercises on Infinitive with 'zu', with the mistake explained every time you get one wrong.
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